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Sebastian is the story of a young man who has his leg amputated before World War I. When his father is drafted to the war it falls on to him to run the family grocery store in Vienna, to grow into his responsibilities, bear loss and uncertainty and hopefully find love.

Sebastian Schreiber, his extended family, their friends and the store employees experience the ‘golden days’ of pre-war Vienna and the timed of the war and the end of the Monarchy while trying to make a living and to preserve what they hold dear.

Fischer convincingly describes life in Vienna during the war, how it affected the people in an otherwise safe and prosperous location, the beginning of the end for the Monarchy, the arrival of modern thoughts and trends, the Viennese class system and the end of an era.

As in the first part of the trilogy, “The Luck of The Weissensteiners” we are confronted again with themes of identity, Nationality and borders. The step back in time made from Book 1 and the change of location from Slovakia to Austria enables the reader to see the parallels and the differences deliberately out of the sequential order. This helps to see one not as the consequence of the other, but to experience them as the momentary reality as it must have felt for the people at the time.

206 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 2013

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About the author

Christoph Fischer

43 books473 followers
Christoph Fischer was born in Germany, near the Austrian border, as the son of a Sudeten-German father and a Bavarian mother. Not a full local in the eyes and ears of his peers he developed an ambiguous sense of belonging and home in Bavaria. He moved to Hamburg in pursuit of his studies and to lead a life of literary indulgence. After a few years he moved on to the UK where he now lives in a small town in West Wales. He and his partner have three Labradoodles to complete their family.
Christoph worked for the British Film Institute, in Libraries, Museums and for an airline. ‘The Luck of The Weissensteiners’ was published in November 2012; 'Sebastian' in May 2013 and 'The Black Eagle Inn' in October 2013 - which completes his 'Three Nations Trilogy'. "Time to Let Go", his first contemporary work was published in May 2014, and “Conditions”, another contemporary novel, in October 2014. The sequel “Conditioned” was published in October 2015. His medical thriller "The Healer" was released in January 2015 and his second thriller “The Gamblers” in June 2015. He published two more historical novels “In Search of a Revolution” in March 2015 and “Ludwika” in December 2015.
He has written several other novels which are in the later stages of editing and finalisation.

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5 stars
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34 (12%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
Profile Image for Lynda.
207 reviews117 followers
August 30, 2013
Perfect. Simply perfect.

I set myself a goodreads goal to read 52 books this year. I have just reached that goal with Sebastian. I could not have asked for a better companion to achieve this with.

Synopsis
Sebastian is set in Vienna in the early 1910's in the time of the Austro-Hungarian empire. Sebastian is the story of a young man who has to come to terms with the amputation of his leg just before World War I. When his father is drafted to fight he has to step up and manage the family grocery store through the hard times, bad fortunes and changes of personnel. Vienna is the capital of a multi-cultural and multi-religious, liberal society that is on the verge of collapsing into several split nations, a development accelerated by the war. Against this backdrop Sebastian is finding himself and his own place in life.

Sebastian is the second book in 'The Three Nations Trilogy' and the only one I have read to date (that's going to change as soon as I have finished this review!). The Trilogy is not written in chronological order nor linked via the characters or plot connections. According to various interviews with the author, The Trilogy is an attempt to illustrate themes of family, ethnicity and the concept of Nations in three very different yet similar times and settings in Central Europe.

Brief History
The Austro-Hungarian empire began in 1867 with the Ausgleich – the "Compromise" – that saw the old Austrian and Hapsburg empire transformed into a new Austria-Hungary, a hybrid empire with a dual monarchy whose imperial life ended in 1918 with defeat in the first world war. Austria-Hungary contained many other countries and ethnic groups and 11 recognised languages. This curious amalgam of peoples included Germans, Hungarians, Czechs, Slovaks, Poles, Ukrainians, Slovenes, Croats, Serbs, Romanians and Italians. For the duration of its existence its emperor was Franz Joseph I. He reigned for nearly 68 years, dying in1916 at the age of 86.

My Review
Historical fact is the heart of great historical fiction but like quicksand, it can suck you down if you stay too long. This did NOT happen with Sebastian. The historical facts were so seamlessly tied in to the story that I knew exactly where I was and who I was with, thus experiencing a deeper look at the human experience.

Sebastian is a book to luxuriate in; a book to savor. With the poetic language of the novel, and the world painted by those words, I became utterly unconscious of the process of reading and instead was carried into the world of the story and the hearts and minds of the characters. I wanted to stay there forever. This is just how I felt when I first fell in love with reading.

Fischer's narrative is superb; prose that is scrupulous and lyrical, beautiful and exact. The only complaint I have about the story is that it had to finish.

This is a must read. Intelligent, sensitive, engaging, perfect.
Profile Image for Olga Miret.
Author 42 books243 followers
July 29, 2014
A chronicle of turbulent times and memorable characters.
Sebastian is a long novel that chronicles a complex period of Austrian history by following the life of a Jewish family living and working in Vienna. The difficulties of the family (poor Sebastian loses a leg at the very beginning of the book and this will change his whole life, his mother, grandmother and grandfather have health problems, his father disappears in the Great War…) reflect the turbulent historical period that Europe lives in the early XX Century.
One of the beauties of the book is how it manages to paint a very vivid portrait of the Viennese society of the period, cosmopolitan, complex and with its great variety of nationalities, religions and unwritten rules. The novel shows us the wider historical events and how these affect a particular family. Thanks to the characters who come into contact with the family we can gain a wider perspective, as we get to see how people from Galicia felt, the difficult situation of Orthodox Jews from that area, how somebody who is known as a patriot today, might end up in the wrong side tomorrow through circumstances not always of their making. The shop at the centre of the book offers a great opportunity to understand the ins and outs of the public relations between the diverse groups, both from the point of view of the clients and also the staff.
Sebastian is the centre of that world, and he grows from a weak and cowardly young boy to a mature, well-adjusted and highly moral individual. We follow his education, his taking responsibility for the family business and the whole family, his romantic education, his fatherhood…The Viennese society of peace and war times are vividly depicted from a very personal point of view, filtered through the conscience of the characters, some of whom we might feel closer to than others, but who are all multi-dimensional and credible. We have proud mothers, psychoanalysis buffs, paranoid anti-Jewish women, mediums, spies…
I congratulate the author for his ability and talent in interweaving the many complex threads to create a wonderful patchwork of characters, lives and historical events that kept me engaged at both an intellectual and an emotional level. I’m sure this won’t be the last one of his books I read. Although the book is part of a trilogy I understand from the description that each book can be read independently and Sebastian is a stand-alone novel.
Profile Image for Cindy Smith.
Author 11 books200 followers
April 24, 2014
What an amazing story. Christoph has again shown his diligence in research. The historical facts are great. This story, second in the series, deals with another non-practicing Jewish family. It is heartbreaking when I realize how many give up on their beliefs and traditions for the sake of fitting in. Sebastian must undergo a leg amputation because of a rusty nail. He is insecure and does not like to cause problems and this results in gangrene setting into a wound. Later he loses more of his leg due to his refusal to be a burden and neglects to mention he is having problems. When war breaks out, his father is called to join the army and Sebastian must take over the family business. The entire family has issues of their own and their shortcomings create a world of insecurity. Slowly Sebastian grows up and falls for Eva, who has begun working for them. Her dismissal of his advances adds to Sebastian's insecurities. Needing help in the store, a new pair of refugees come and live with the family. When Love does come for him, Margit has to show him she loves him. Her mother has mental issues. The mother's paranoia and deep seated prejudices come into play and a pregnant Margit leaves her daughter behind to go back and find her father. Margit gets left by her mother in the care of a Jewish family group. Sebastian and his family sell their store and he finds happiness as a teacher. Both Margit and Sebastian learn to depend on themselves. Remarkable. War and shortages combine to give this story its passion and its strength. Great book.
Profile Image for Simon Okill.
Author 12 books297 followers
June 1, 2014
Sebastian by Christoph Fischer is a brilliant testament to the author's talent. Although part two of a historical trilogy, this novel stands out as a standalone and is so easy to read due to the author's magical way with words.
Sebastian is the central character around whom the story of life in Vienna flows from pre Great War to the end of the hostilities. Sebastian is a normal teenage lad, but with a paranoid fear of hospitals and doctors. It is this fear that forces said doctors to amputate his leg for an infection that could so easily have been avoided had he admitted to it in the first place. Now Sebastian has to overcome almost insurmountable problems that most teenagers would never have to endure. Then war breaks out as Austria flexes her mighty muscles.
This is where the book excels as a history lesson seen through the eyes of various family members, Sebastian, his girlfriends and their family members. All these people are so richly involved in Sebastian's life and through them we watch him grow into manhood as the terrible consequences of the war quickly unravels society into a rabble of starving refugees. This reader especially loved the plight of one girlfriend who discovers some horrifying facts about her dear father and how the war changed him. This enthralling segment explores the Russian side of the war and what the revolution had in store for mankind.
This FIVE STAR historical drama is a must read for all lovers of this genre and is so highly recommended I implore you to download it now.
Profile Image for Alan Wynzel.
Author 2 books16 followers
January 19, 2014
Christoph Fischer continues to display his mastery of historical fiction displayed in The Luck of the Weissensteiners in this book, Sebastian, the second installment in his "Three Nations Trilogy". This novel traces the life of Sebastian, a teenaged boy who, shortly before the outbreak of WWI, has his leg amputated below the knee due to an untreated infection. As in the Weissensteiners, Sebastian and the other characters symbolize the different peoples and socio-political forces at play in their world, in this case, the Austo-Hungarian Empire in it's final days. The aspirations, dreams, and conflicts engulfing this ensemble cast serve as a brilliant historical metaphor for that time and place. Mr. Fischer displays his deep historical knowledge and great skill at personifying events and social conflicts, no mean feat given the multitude of ethnic groups, nationalistic aspirations, and complex politics going on in the Empire in this time frame--with the end result being its dissolution. But not to be forgotten is Mr. Fischer's feel for the humanity of his characters--this is a human story, with the human drama in the forefront, the grand and petty human aspirations unfolding before the historical backdrop. I recommend Sebastian for readers for it's keen historical insight and human drama--bravo!
Profile Image for Jams Roses.
Author 11 books157 followers
August 10, 2013
Sebastian has a leg amputated right at the start of the book. It's hard to imagine losing a limb and to do so at such a young age is harsh, but Sebastian has no time to lick his wounds; the war drags his father away and leaves him with his fragile family and a store to run.
Sebastian's family is an odd bunch of characters that you can't help liking. The setting in Vienna at that time is very interesting and the characters that come into the family's life illustrate a multicultural society and the growing tensions really well. Fischer does a great job at exploring Sebastian's ideas of what his place in society should be. Sebastian starts dating one of the assistants who comes with her own baggage, while the war is only happening in the distance.
I liked the subplots; in particular one was very entertaining in which several rich women spend their time psycho-analysing and going to séances, as was the fashion then I think this was the start of new ageism?). Another subplot takes the story to Galicia, which was one of the main areas of the fighting and shows a different side to war times, in contrast to wealthy Vienna.
Sebastian is well written, unpredictable and an interesting historical novel, and is also a coming of age story about a young disabled man and his journey to self-acceptance. The book ends on a positive, inspirational note, and also with a wonderful twist.
Profile Image for Lin.
134 reviews12 followers
July 27, 2014
clearly, christoph fischer is a great storyteller. as in "the weissensteiners", he has taken the reader through a family's experience of war, this time WWI. without being political, and without lengthy discussions of battlelines, the author has a gift for bringing the reader closer to a time now only accessible in books and no longer as memories told by grandparents. however it's the author's gift of great storytelling that the reader's takeaway is a feeling that this is a story being passed down through generations. it's the personal side of war that mr. fisher is writing about by those that lived it -- the heartaches of separation, injuries, loss and most evident -- the downward spiralling of conditions, brought on by war. he tells this story as if he knew the family that lived it, retelling it for his readers. and, as if this story was being handed down, only in reflecting back and searching hard can one recognize moments, even during wartime, of hope, optimism and even happiness. far from depressing, mr. fischer makes sure that even the smallest things to be thankful for are noted. i really enjoyed this book mr. fisher. keep writing!
Profile Image for Oleg.
40 reviews32 followers
August 5, 2013
Historical Novel meets Literary Realism.


Vienna, the beginning of the 20th century, just before WWI. What wouldn't I give to visit that place to see for myself the so-called "Golden Age" of the center of European science and philosophy, arguably the most liberal place in Europe, where the seeds of the modern ideas of ethnic and religious equality first sprouted and were actually implemented.

Of course, just because the government declares a degree of "equality" of the races and religions, it doesn't mean the populous will follow. It usually takes a few generations for people to take to these new ideas. How the prevalent nationality treats the minorities in their midst and how much the minorities are willing to assimilate is a litmus test on how tolerant the country really is.

The emigration inside of, and to and from the Austro-Hungarian Empire created a venerable "melting pot" of people of different beliefs and nationalities, most of whom recognized themselves not as members of a certain specific group but as citizens of the nation, especially in large cities as Vienna. Of course, there were some notable exceptions. The larger the degree of freedom the state provides for its citizens, the more powerful some nationalistic, religious, or ideological movements can become. When Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, heir to the Habsburg throne, was assassinated by a Serbian student in Sarajevo, it didn't come to anyone as a great shock--political assassination by more radical groups were common in that era.

However, I digress. This book is a story that is centered around Sebastian Schreiber, an only son of non-practicing, well-assimilated Jewish family, that made a very decent life for themselves after immigrating to Vienna quite some while ago. Schreibers are hard-working and industrious, and at the time the novel starts, Sebastian's father, Franz, and mother, Vera, are running a grocery shop that is being frequented by people of varied nationalities and religions. Sebastian's grandfather, Oscar, and grandmother Rebecca, are of ill health and are living with the family.

At 16 years of age, Sebastian had an accident that leads to an amputation of his leg, leaving him incapable of the hard labor that is required to be a successful grocery shop-keeper, as his father wanted him to be. The accident was rather prosaic--stepping on a rusty nail. The consequences of it were as dramatic as one would imagine. Perhaps, if the WWI would have never started, the lives of Sebastian's family would not have been changed so drastically, who knows. However, the Austro-Hungarian Empire did enter a war and the lives of Schreibers were never the same.

Interestingly, Sebastian does not appear as an "active" character much throughout the novel. Much of the time we follow the story through the eyes of Vera, his mother; sometimes we switch to certain secondary characters. In that, he reminds me of Pierre Bezukhov from "War and Piece"--things happen around Sebastian, sometimes with him in the center, but not with him as the truly active player. Not to say that he is not integral to the story. However, as I read it, the novel is more about how the war affects society on an example of one group of people, in this case Schreiber family, and people connected to them.

Through the novel, some characters disappear, like Franz, who was recruited to fight in the war, and new ones make an appearance, like Mathilde, a well-off friend of Vera's, whose active mind makes for an interesting exploration of philosophical, social, and scientific ideas of the time. Also, we have several maids who enter Schreiber household and who play important roles in the story as well. The third maid, Margit, is the most important to how the narrative progresses and as such, she is the most interestingly written.

The book edges on "Literary Realism." No character or idea is romanticized and characters are humanly fallible people who are trying to act in their self-interest, be it foolishly sometimes. While I was reading this book, I could not stop making parallels with "War and Peace." "Sebastian" is, in my opinion, a book about how a war changes people and the society. There's a tiny bit of a "conclusion" of sorts at the end of the book, in a dialog between Sebastian and one of his friends (no spoilers):

"Many men who are returning from the war have changed and they come home to even more changed women. There comes a time when one needs to let go of the past and live in the present."

I think this pretty much says what the book is all about.

A very good read from a fast-emerging name in historical novels. Recommended.
Profile Image for Bernice Rocque.
Author 3 books23 followers
August 21, 2013
The first sentence of SEBASTIAN stirred my curiosity, and like Alice, I found myself in another time and place. Transported to a hospital room in pre-WWI Vienna, I felt the gravity of the situation. Was this doctor really going to amputate part of Sebastian’s leg? Carried along from page to page, I worried alongside his mother, Vera, and wondered why his father, Franz, was not there.

As the novel unfolds and expands, we experience everyday life in this era. Vienna, in the years just before the Great War, was in a sort of golden age bubble --- a bubble that was about to burst. The trajectory of Sebastian’s life will change, as will the lives of the other characters we meet.

The author, Christophe Fischer, is a very talented writer. His first book, THE LUCK OF THE WEISSENSTEINERS, was a fabulous read, too. I think the writing in SEBASTIAN is even more graceful and the history so smoothly integrated. Oh, how deftly the author laces the metaphorical shoe that Sebastian will no longer wear. Everyone is missing a shoe of one kind or another. Sebastian’s journey is everyone’s journey.

Who will love this novel? Anyone who values good storytelling, a well researched setting, and a cast of fascinating characters --- each with their own challenges. The novel holds our attention, so rapt we are in how people adapt well, or not, to changing landscapes in their lives, their decisions often based on their perceptions, accurate or not. SEBASTIAN is superb historical fiction. Highly recommended.

Profile Image for Lobstergirl.
1,788 reviews1,319 followers
August 4, 2014

I think I was misled by the average 4.71 rating! It's almost like I read a completely different book from the one the 5-star raters read. What's up with all those 5-star ratings?? I don't want to use the word "collusion," but jeez! I am so mystified.

The sense you get is that either: a) English is not the author's first language; or b) the author is writing in 1940 for a readership of 8-year olds.

There is a "Dick and Jane" woodenness to the writing, supplemented by awkward phrasings and homonym misuse (sight for site, etc.).

Either way, not good. Bad.
Profile Image for Linda Watkins.
Author 16 books365 followers
May 31, 2014
I received a free ARC of this book, in exchange for my fair and honest review.

"Sebastian" is the story of a man and his family, non-practicing Jews with a busy grocery shop in Vienna during WW1. I loved the way Mr. Fischer depicted his characters with all their flaws and weaknesses, both physical and mental. Yet, despite their limitations and conflicts, most of these complex human beings dig down deep and stay strong when tragedy strikes.

This is a great family saga with an interesting and enlightening historical background; a story not just about the war but about its politics and their effect on the Viennese. For any who are interested in historical fiction and family sagas, I highly recommend Mr. Fischer's work to you.
Profile Image for John Dolan.
Author 16 books252 followers
May 10, 2014
Having read and enjoyed 'Black Eagle Inn', I was keen to explore another volume of Christoph Fischer's trilogy. 'Sebastian' did not disappoint.

Set mainly in Vienna - with some sections located in a devastated Galicia - this family saga takes place during World War I. Fischer brings history alive in this finely written novel.

We are party to the trials and tribulations of the Schreibers and Halaszes, the first a Jewish family, the second a refugee family following the Russian invasion of Galicia. The book is peppered with interesting details of life in Vienna, where bored women amuse themselves with seances and amateur psychotherapy while their hubands and sons are away fighting. The plight of Jews in the Austro-Hungarian Empire is highlighted along with the deprivations the Great War brought in its wake.

Fischer has an acute eye for the detail of family life and the fragility of relationships; the jealousies, health concerns and financial struggles. Although the Sebastian of the title - an amputee - sits at the centre of the novel, the other characters (mainly females) are fully fleshed-out and we are engaged in their personal journeys.

This is a rewarding read, a slow-burner with heart. I am looking forward to the third volume in Fischer's interesting trilogy.
Profile Image for Sheryl Seal.
Author 7 books101 followers
August 11, 2013
I understand this is the second book in a trilogy and was happy that I could step right into this book with no problems. I became quickly invested in the characters.
You have to love the main character! Sebastian as like any normal kid, tries hard to hide his infected leg and because of this it needs to be amputated...Twice. With war looming in Vienna He manages, with the help of his loving grandfather Oscar, who tutors him and pushes him to become a man and to eventually see his self worth.

There are a colorful cast of characters in this book, from his mother and father clear down to the mean doctor and wonderful nurse in his life, and many others that come and go that work for the family in their home and in the store.

Life is very hard for this Jewish boy with his father going off to war. His whole family is dysfunctional in one way or another (but who's isn't). He learns to run the grocery store, he learns of love and losing it and finding it again. All of this and trying to deal with being an amputee would be hard on any teenager growing up.
I actually laughed out loud during all of this war and hardship. The first séance scene with Sebastian's mother Vera, and her women's group, was a first experience for her as a women who is coming into her own at a time when women had no voice yet.

There are plenty of lies and betrayals behind this strong family and a few characters that needed to be strangled but you will have to read the book to fine out who they are. There is a rich history interwoven with Sebastian's family and some travel.

Christoph Fisher has a way of drawing the reader into the story and keeping your attention throughout making this novel a wonderful read. Thank-you for sharing your words with this reader. Sebastian was a pleasure to read!
Author 4 books47 followers
August 9, 2013
Sebastian, the second book in The Three Nations Trilogy, is set in the enlightened city of Vienna just before the outbreak of and during the First World War.

The Luck of the Weissensteiners was equally well written, but Sebastian is more of a character-driven read. And what characters they are!

From the adolescent Sebastian who is typical of his age (and therefore fully believeable that he would not go to his mother after being infected by a rusty nail until it was far too late) who suffers the catastrophe of having to have his leg amputated at just 16 years old. To the mother in question, Vera, shy, anxious, often unwell, wed to the hassled, too-busy and preoccupied Franz. And the bickering - yet obviously loving - grandparents who live with the family above their store.

Then the Archduke Franz Ferdinand is assassinated and their lives change forever.

From there, it is an intriguing, glorious tale of the women who are left behind as their men go to war, and Sebastian too as he is not fit for military duty with his disability.

I particularly enjoyed Vera's transformation from the worried woman that she was to an altogether different person, mostly, it seemed to me, through her friendship with a mother of a boy from Sebastian's school. The seance and therapy scenes were fantastic.

Not to mention the other characters that were introduced, with skill it must be said, so as not to bombard the reader. I felt desperately sorry for the easily-led Margit, but she too has her own kind of redemption.

Sebastian is an excellently drawn tale, full of vibrant characters and brilliant story. I will definitely be reading the last in the series when it comes out.
Profile Image for Sophie Davis.
Author 49 books910 followers
August 5, 2013
Sebastian takes place in pre-WWI era Vienna. As the title suggests it is the tale of how a boy named Sebastian deals with the loss of his leg after an infection gets out of hand. But really Sebastian is about so much more than that. With a cast of well-developed characters, some of whom are extremely flawed, the story is incredibly engaging. In the beginning you learn about about Sebastian and the Schreiber family through Vera, the matriarch. Not only does she suffer from a weak constitution and the loss of her son's leg, but her husband's affair with a much younger assistant. But Vera proves herself stronger than she thinks when she takes matters into her own hands and seeks help from the very interesting and extremely entertaining Glueck women. They turn out to be both great resources and wonderful friends to Vera in her time of need.

As the story progresses, you see how against all odds Sebastian finds love and starts a family of his own.

Fischer does an excellent job of capturing the feel of Vienna during such a turbulent time in history. You feel the pain and suffering of the men, women, and children as war tears families apart and hunger and poverty replace the many comforts people had become accustomed to.

A blend of history, romance, and hardships that show the political, cultural, and religious issues of the time, Sebastian is a do-not-miss saga. If you are a lover of historical fiction, this is definitely one you want to checkout!
131 reviews6 followers
April 30, 2013
Christoph Fischer’s Sebastian is a very enjoyable read. I had already read something by this author, The Luck of the Weissensteiners, and really enjoyed that so when this one came out I was ready for it. It did not disappoint. Although the story follows a teenage boy into young adulthood it is not just his story, rather it is one of relationships and the transience of ones involvement in them, and all things. The backdrop of a Baltic war is never far from the forefront although this story line does not dwell in any battlefront scenes, which appealed to me. I thought it was clever how the author once again draws from history to create an illusive energy throughout the story, a tension that enters into Sebastian and his relationship with his mother, father, grandparents, romantic interests, and his jobs. The scenes were well written, the characters developed nicely, and the story charming, intriguing and poignant, holding my interest throughout the read. It’s a good read for the entire family.
Profile Image for Brandt.
Author 41 books358 followers
August 26, 2013
I Became a huge fan of this author after “The Luck of The Weissensteiners” and couldn’t wait to jump into Sebastian (The Three Nations Trilogy). I was at first surprised that this book goes back to WWI, (Luck of the Weissensteiners takes place around WWII). However, themes tie the books together, namely the consequences of war, the effect of a single decision or event on the entire life of an individual and a family. Fischer’s characters continue to amaze me. They are so true and complex that when I took a break from the book it felt as though they were in the next room. This evening, I caught myself thinking about the character Sebastian like an old friend. This is an eloquently written, character driven novel, beautifully woven with rich historical details. This is an author to not only watch, but one to admire for how he can tell a story with such inspiring authenticity. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for William O'Brien.
Author 42 books848 followers
August 27, 2013
Ache with empathy

I was given a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Sebastian (The Three Nations Trilogy 2)

Another amazing and heartfelt story form the author after The Luck of the Weissensteiners (The Three Nations Trilogy) (Volume 1). It is an emotionally-charged historical read that develops through war, loss and love.

The superb detailed writing proves Fischer is a truly talented writer. Based in the earlier part of the twentieth century, the gripping and realistic creation in the pages will make the reader ache with empathy.

The book is highly recommended to an audience that determines a prerequisite of a 'period piece, well-written and touches the senses'. Without doubt- just a wonderful novel that should be read by many, which contains many aspects of life of the era and the effects of war upon families.

I can't recommend both books highly enough- excellent and a very strong 5*****
Profile Image for Brian Bigelow.
Author 32 books61 followers
May 13, 2013
This is a really exceptional account of this kids life that is set just before the start of WWI. I really empathize with him and what he goes through. It's difficult for me to imagine going through life missing a leg but it does keep him from getting caught up the meat grinder of trench warfare that is soon to come. This is one book I would recommend to anyone that likes to read historical fiction. I had previously read, "The Luck of the Weissensteiners," and this story is definitely showing the development of his writing skills. He's becoming quite good I feel.
Profile Image for Elaine White.
Author 42 books255 followers
May 1, 2013
*** This book was given to me in return for a review ***

*** THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS ***

Would I read it again - Yes
Plot - Well organised and developed, keeps you interested
Characters - Funny, intriguing, excellently developed
Movie Potential - Yes
Ease of reading - Very easy to read and enjoy

This is Book 2 in the Three Nations Trilogy, the follow up to Book 1 The Luck of the Weissensteiners.

To start off with, this story made a great start. The first line is brilliant and really reels you in. The story is about Sebastian, a 16 year old boy in Vienna, who has an accident that results in him losing part of his leg. The story is about his struggle over the years, during the war, finding love, struggling with his disability and finding his place in the world.

As an overall story, I love it. As someone with both legs, but who has to use a wheelchair and a walking stick, I understand Sebastian’s unwillingness to complain when the pain gets worse, or to tell anyone in the beginning. It’s scary and you don’t want to admit that it’s happening. But I can’t even begin to imagine what it’s like to actually lose a part of your body. Especially at 16. I can also understand the reluctance to believe true love is possible, to worry about pity and how ‘incapable’ other people may see you. It’s never an easy thing to be different. And for Sebastian, he is a Jewish cripple in a time when both alone would have him scorned by society at large, but when one could get him killed.

*SPOILERS*
I have to admit that I was completely shocked by Franz, not at all surprised by Ingeborg and I love Mathilde. I really like that Mathilde and Vera have plans for Franz and that Vera’s going to fight. I’m a very old fashioned person when it comes to relationships and I wouldn’t, personally, tolerate cheating in a relationship, but I do like that he’s going to get his comeuppance and I do understand Vera’s wish to save her family. She has a 16 year old boy who needs her, who is going through a very big change in his life, and it makes sense that she doesn’t want to make things even worse for him by ignoring the affair or leaving her husband. I think it was a real shame that Sebastian couldn’t know Eva’s secret until after it mattered, but you wished he could so that he would understand it wasn’t his fault.
*SPOILERS*

The characters in this book are just as great as the ones in its predecessor. I think Vera is a lovely, confused but very nice woman suffering a lot of strain and guilt that isn’t necessarily needed. And Sebastian is a very nice, charming young man. I feel bad for him though, with the whole difficulty finding and trusting love situation. I hoped through the whole book that he was able to get over it and not become too like his dad, or let it make him feel unwanted.

I was really pleased to see Sebastian’s change of luck in love and the good news that came with it. Then, just like the emotional rollercoaster that this story it, everything changed. I really liked the inclusion of the séance, since I’m a big believer of the supernatural. It’s really nice to see Sebastian getting back to his books and making a friend. However much I try, I find Magrit to be quite selfish and naïve, very easily led. But it is oddly nice to see what happens to her, even though I don’t like her much. But then, I don’t like her because of what she did so…

This story, though, is similar to the previous one in that it’s about a lot more than just a family and their struggles. It’s about more than a war. It’s moving, it draws you in and makes you care about people you don’t know instantly. There’s this constant hidden fear and expectation, this constant feeling that things are too good to be true for that moment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for J.B. McCauley.
Author 1 book59 followers
June 22, 2013
Set during the Great War and the dying embers of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Sebastien is the tale of an eminently unlucky man. Fischer paints the picture of a lapsed Jewish family in Vienna who seem rather distant from the struggling Jewish clans of outlying districts of the Empire.

The father and grandfather are mildly successful businessmen and despite having to work hard to maintain a vibrant shop in the competing tapestry of Vienna, do not appear to want for much. Until that is. Sebastien has the misfortune to lose a leg. Then misfortune follows the family like an unwanted friend.

Sebastien is more concerned about how others perceive him than how he is actually perceived and his lack of confidence and self belief leads him into a sea of self-loathing and pity. But throughout this tale, he is sought out by people who love and support him. Despite some massive set-backs and emotionally crushing expereinces, he moves on.

Fischer has painted an in-depth picture of the Empire, the insecurities of its subjects and the rivalries and suspicions of competing ethnic and religious groups. Whilst in some places it makes you despair at the stupidity and naevity of the uneducated, it also bolsters your belief in the ability for people to survive.

I took to the time to read this book because the characters are so emotionally invested in one another. It is the beginning of a saga and forms a great foundation stone for the rest of the series. I recommend for people who enjoy these epic familial tales!
Profile Image for Wanda Hartzenberg.
Author 5 books71 followers
May 5, 2013
Sebastian is a character driven story of a non practising Jewish boy who looses his leg before WWI!
This loss impacts him personally and also ensures that he is not drafted for the war. His mother Vera, a woman
who coddles her son and with a nervous disposition gets involved with a group of Jewish woman!

Thus far the story seems clear does it not? A boy-man with a leg lost a non-practising Jewish mother meeting up with kindred spirits... But your wrong. In essesance this book is about prophecies and personal beliefs that hinders and shape our characters in ways unexpected. Self-fulfilling prophecies makes Sebastian loose his girlfriend and unborn child? His own family has little to do with this particular set of events but in their own way, with their own beliefs they set events in motion!

Most of this book is about growth, and the ending was filled with hope! I kept wondering if these peoples lives would have turned out better if their inner dialogues and belief systems were positive instead of paranoid and negative! What I liked best? The way the story made me think and the setting in Vienna that gave me a glimpse into unexplored territory for me.
WaAr
Profile Image for Claire Taylor.
417 reviews13 followers
June 7, 2013
Christoph Fischer
Sebastian
The Three Nations Trilogy #2

I fully enjoyed the first book in this trilogy, but the author has taken this book to a completely new level and I was gripped instantly. The character development is so strong, they all had a place in my heart throughout the book. Incredibly well written, the story flows so smoothly and I never felt lost or wondered what was going on, I just went with it. The historical aspect was always loitering in the background, but was subtle that it didn't feel like a history lesson and just became part of the book. Everyone would take something away from this book, and I highly recommend it to anyone.

I received an e-copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Fran.
Author 47 books133 followers
June 10, 2013

Sebastian: Christoph Fischer


Courage is defined as the “ the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain without fear. But, it can mean even more. Once that initial fear or obstacle is defined and the person overcomes that hindrance, drawback or impediment, something has to take over to keep them going. Handicaps are defined as conditions that restrict a person’s ability to function physically, mentally or socially. If convinced by others that you are incapable of handling specific situations or brainwashed into thinking either by listening to the voices of others or low self-esteem that you cannot embark on the career of your choice because of your limitations, then your whole life will be dealing with one handicap after another.


Sebastian is a uniquely crafted story that has many layers and characters that often appear to have many flaws. Each character striving so hard to find a place in the world so filled with hate, prejudice and the threat of war, that they often overlook the simple things in life like family, joy and just love. Sebastian is a young teenage boy who likes so many others does not dwell on an injury when there are more important things to concentrate on. However, not focusing on the pain in his left leg and hiding the fact that the leg was infected cost him more than any young teen should have to endure. This accident that caused his injury and the final result was his leg was amputated causing his family to feel that he can no longer contribute to their family business, not able to run their family grocery store and limited, as one doctor would say to few careers. Vienna, Austria is the setting and the loss of his leg had nothing to do with his brilliant mind.

Parents that seemed on the outside to be happy yet when you pull apart the many lawyers of Franz and Vera Schrieber, what you mind find will surprise you. Franz, the owner of this grocery store has many responsibilities and feels the pressure of having to not only provide for his immediate family but his elderly parents who reside with him. His son’s accident although represented a weakness in the child and although he cares for him he neglected visiting him in the hospital leaving his care to his invalid mother and grandparents.

With his father’s family living at home, his friends and the many employees that would come through their door the author graphically depicts pre-war Vienna, the struggles of so many families, the lives of many people during the time of the war and the end when the Monarchy was taken down. Just how would this man manage to fend for his family and find time to care for his wife and son? Responsibility can be defined in this case as “ Involving personal accountability or ability to act without guidance or superior authority: a responsible position within the firm.” Franz treated each day and his family more like a business and was so concerned with his wants and needs he overlooks what is happening right in front of him. Vera, his wife is the definition of a woman who has no idea of what is happening in the world around her, current events elude her and working in the store and greeting customers when needed her only outlet for interacting with people. The author’s research into the war, the government of Austria and the arrival of technology and the changes some were trying to make are extensive. Many people do not understand change, Vienna like many other countries embraced a class system and often those employed as household workers had to be of other faiths in order to work in certain homes. From the Five Star author of “The Luck of the Weissensteinters,” comes another five star novel, which deals with many of the same layers, themes and ideals. Sebastian focuses on a family that needs to embrace their identities as individuals, prejudice among their own and others, fears, deceit, lies and even betrayals and hope.

When Sebastian is told about his infection from a rusty nail and the fact that because it was not treated the end result would be losing his leg, we wonder how he will deal with the news. Vera, his mother is fearful that when told the young man would not be able to handle the news, not sleep and requests the operation be done that night and not in the morning as the doctor suggested. Convincing the doctor the young man goes through this operation only to prove that not only he is resilient, smart and courageous but will not succumb to his illness and hopes to attend school and take his exams.

Vera, as well as the medical situation that lingers throughout the story that takes twists and turns along with the plots and subplots to help define a character that goes from being weak to growing an inner strength and beauty. Sebastian's story is the story of his family, the women who enter his life and the war that surrounds and defines them all. Living above a grocery store reminds me of growing up in the South Bronx, in a small apartment with my grandparents, sister and parents over a grocery store, beauty parlor and candy store. Picturing all of these people in this enclosed environment brings to light just how difficult the times were and how this young man who only wanted to bring some joy into the lives of others was only embraced by one person, his grandfather the original owner of the store. Sebastian’s injury did not affect his mind, ability to learn or his will to succeed. His grandfather, Oscar was his champion and was there for him every step of the way tutoring him and making sure that his lessons were done and that he would pass his exams. Testing him, teaching him the material gave not only Sebastian the impetus to go on but his grandfather a reason for getting up in the morning. His grandmother, Rebecca had a bad back and were ability to do anything was limited as was his mother Vera whose conditions changed on a momentary basis. Leaving the hospital put a strain on his family as his mother wanted to devote her time caring for her son whose leg would require more surgery and she took blame for the complications.


Vera needs an ally to bring her out and show her she can do more than just take care of the store and deal with problems. Enter Mathilde and her family who seems to have influence in many important places. Suggesting she join a women’s group whose goal is to help women understand and fight for the right to vote and voice their opinion, Vera agrees but stands to the side the entire time. With the help of Theresa, Mathilde’s mother in law, she begins to thrive in many different ways and learn more about herself. In walks what is supposed to be relief and help but turns out to be more than Vera can handle. An eighteen year old girl named Ingeborg is sent to work in the home and where needed in the store. Hoping to become more than just an employee she bides her time, endears herself within the folds of the family and eventually hopes to replace Vera in Franz’s bed. But, Vera might be naïve and not suspect anything until her friend Mathilde enlightens her and what happens is right out of a soap opera. Replaced but not really knowing why Eva comes to work for the family and Sebastian is taken with her But her secret is well kept as to why she was discharged from her past job and the situation heats up until she leaves and is replaced by Margit and her mother. Here is where the story gets really hot and very interesting as Vera’s friends will help change the dynamics of her life and she becomes involved in séances, the afterlife and communicating with the dead.


The primary cast is Jewish and the questions raised are many as the family needs to cater to people of many nationalities, lives are unsettled and a country is about to undergo many changes. WWI is about to begin and so many men have enlisted, are fighting for their country and the war has caused Sebastian to have to step up before his time as Franz is drafted and on the front lines fighting. Each family member seems to have his/her own agenda and when Oscar passes away leaving them without his wisdom and guidance Rebecca and Vera are left to deal with the store, Franz’s absence and Sebastian. But, Sebastian decides for himself with the help of a special nurse where he wants his life to go and school is not an option it is his choice.

As things changed and Eva left and a mother and daughter came to live with them Sebastian soon came to fall for Margit and her mother, although depressed, loud and abusive at times found her way into the family on a limited basis. With her mother hiding her own treasure, her distrust for the Schreiber family and people in general the plot takes on a different tone as the war is in full swing, the draft has lowered its expectations as Sebastian has now left what was a great position in a library to have to teach school. People are cruel, no allowances for his disability made and the family seems to becoming unglued as Eva reappears, Sebastian and Margit have a child but then things change.

Joining her two friends and others in a séance Vera thinks that her husband is gone, her job now to care for her granddaughter and when both the mother and grandmother disappear without due cause or any hint she is left to deal with the fallout. Just where did they go and how did they get there takes the reader on a remarkable train ride from Vienna to Galicia where we learn the probable fate her Markit’s father, who is now living in their home, what their feelings towards the Jewish people are and the history behind what happened in Poland, Russia and to the Jewish people. But, the times are changing and Piroska, Markit’s mother decides to venture out on her own with the help of some of her husband’s contacts to find out where he is and if he is coming back to her. What she learns is quite startling whether she believes what they tell her remains to be seen. Finding her way back to her daughter, where they were staying would only be a stop gap for her search is never ending, she is relentless and her feelings for her husband regardless of what he is doing overpower her.

An ending so dramatic and heart wrenching you won’t see it common and characters that are so true to lift you will definitely identify with many of them. Betrayals, lies, deceits, family loyalties tested, the human spirit quite fragile and an ending that will surprise the reader and a group of people so courageous, filled with hope that their journey back to Vienna would be successful. Sometimes a miscommunication can change your life. Find out how when you read this outstanding novel. Courage: What’s your definition?
Fran Lewis: reviewer
42 reviews3 followers
May 22, 2013
I was given a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

In all honesty, I would give this four and 1/2 stars as it was extremely difficult for me to get into the novel. I was not truly invested in the characters until a bit over half-way through the book. Once I got there I could not put it down and ended up regretting that there wasn't more. I do not believe that my problems with the book were anything but the fact that this is not the typical genre that I read... it is very well written and developed.

Sebastian is the story of a young man in Vienna. Prior to WWI, he lost his leg due to an infection. This novel follows him and his family through the years leading up to and through the war.

Fischer's characters are very well rounded. To be honest, I did not like most of them, just as I do not like most people in real life. Sebastian's mother, grandmother, and most of the people in the novel, are full of frailty. They are full of conflict within themselves. Throughout the book, they grow based upon their experiences. It is very realistic and I am impressed at the author's ability to write such full fledged characters.

I was also very impressed with the amount and type of information in the book. Fischer does a magnificent job of showing the tensions between the Jewish and gentile communities. He delves into what happens to the common people during war. In this book you do not see the typical heroes, you see very little of the soldiers, and you hear what is happening politically only as a citizen who was not involved would. This was fascinating, as most of what I knew prior to reading Sebastian was political... not how the regular people would have seen things and the impact on them. I would love to get my hands on Fischer's research in order to go more in depth on a few questions that I have.

I believe that anyone who likes history and/or enjoys the study of human nature will greatly appreciate this book.
Profile Image for Laura.
161 reviews3 followers
June 10, 2013
The story follows the life of Sebastian Schreiber in Vienna, Austria. He is the son of a grocery store owner and having had his leg amputated as a teenager, has to take over the responsibilities of the store and family when his father is drafted for World War I. Though kind and intelligent, Sebastian feels that as a cripple, he will never find true love. Through pre war to post war he and his family experience love, loss and triumph, making life long friends along the way.

At first i found the book to be a bit stilted. Even though there was nothing wrong with the story or content itself, it didn’t flow and i wasn’t able to connect with any of the characters. After awhile it seemed to kick into gear and flowed along smoothly.

I liked most of the characters, though their weaknesses were at times frustrating. Obviously this made it more realistic. There was one character that i did not like, however without them there wouldn’t be as much of a story!

Even though the story was slower paced, it still was a page turner and i found it hard to put it down.

I really enjoyed this book however i was actually quite disappointed in the ending. I found it to be a bit of an anticlimax. It wasn’t so much the resolution of the story, it was how quickly it happened. I felt that it didn’t match the rest of the book in its pace. The rest of the story is quite detailed and slower paced and it seemed to finish so abruptly.

I would definitely recommend this book as it was really interesting, especially if you like historical fiction. I would even recommend it those who like family saga as it errs on that side as well.

This review is based on a digital copy provided by the author.

www.readingforthemasses.wordpress.com
Profile Image for Bonnie Bernard.
Author 14 books63 followers
August 12, 2013
Sebastian is book two in The Three Nations trilogy, but a reader could pick up this one first...it has a completely different cast of characters and in fact is set during WW1...before the first book, which is set during WW2.

Sebastian is the "crippled" son of a frail and fearful mother, Vera. His grandparents are sickly and broken. His dad is the strong one of the family, at least until he gets sent off to war. In my opinion, Sebastian is the strongest and most emotionally healthy members of his circle...so it's with irony that we note his disability.

The story is about Sebastian's family and its extended circle - and of course the political ramifications of different ethnic backgrounds in early 20th century Europe. A few of the characters are rather awful people (but they're fun to read about), and several are perfectly charming. Every one is a mix of conflict, joy, insecurities, doubt, frailty, strength, and personal preference. This author's talent - in my view - is the way he gets in those characters' heads and invites us in too. We're treated to all those feelings - the good, the bad, and the constantly changing. I love that.

There is also a history lesson going on here, so if you need to brush up on that without getting bogged down by dry dates and facts that have no humanity attached to them - I recommend this book. Very much. Suitable for mature teens - up.

Of course, when book three comes out, I'll grab it immediately.
Profile Image for Jada Ryker.
Author 24 books50 followers
October 12, 2013
Sebastian, by Christoph Fischer, is the sweeping second installment of the Three Nations Trilogy. Amazingly, it is even more compelling than the first volume, The Luck of the Weissensteiners.

The setting of Sebastian is Vienna, shortly before The Great War. When the doctor, who had served in the field during the Balkan War, declares part of Sebastian Schreiber's leg must be amputated, it's a blow to the intelligent sixteen-year-old boy. A subsequent amputation results in the loss of more of his leg and sets Sebastian on a course which will impact the rest of his life.

The family continues on with trials and tribulations, including a romance between the shop assistant that had to hired because of Sebastian's health issues and Franz, Sebastian's father. Soon after, The Great War begins, with its global ramifications and the more immediate impact on Sebastian's family when Franz is sent to the Serbian front.

Margit is hired to help in the shop. While clumsy and preoccupied, she tries hard. After Margit offers Sebastian unselfish and quiet comfort, Sebastian falls in love with her.

The epic saga follows the family drama and the effect of war on the family. The writing is descriptive of not only the time in history but also of feelings and emotions. I unreservedly recommend the book.
Profile Image for Alan Hardy.
Author 27 books127 followers
March 14, 2014
This great saga begins in pre-1914 Vienna and carries on through to the end of the First World War. The author deftly and expertly introduces us to the Schreiber family, of Jewish origin: Vera and Franz, Sebastian their son, Franz's parents, and a string of maids-cum-housekeepers whose histories interact with those of the family members. Sebastian's leg has to be amputated due to an infection, an incident naturally that affects his whole future, as well as of course the development of the story. The author brilliantly sets the microcosm of the family's individual sagas --jealousies, trials, loves, affairs, tragedies, deaths, illnesses--against the macrocosm of the outer world with the advent of war, and its accompanying hardships and privations, as well as the added burden of anti-Jewish prejudice. The author beautifully blends this detailed family description and narrative, with its joys and sadness, into that menacing background of war and the crumbling of an old world order symbolized by the creaking Austro-Hungarian Empire. Ultimately, the message is one of survival against the odds. Stirring and addictive. And not to be missed.
Profile Image for Jess Mountifield.
Author 101 books59 followers
August 16, 2013
I was given a copy of this ebook by the author in return for my review.

I got into this book a lot quicker than I did the previous one, falling in love with Sebastian and his mother almost instantly. The pair of them came alive in my head and I could see them going about their lives.

The story has a lot of history in it, as the previous book by this author did but I found the balance between it and the characters was more to my liking in this one. I think it's pretty spot on for the type of history book it is as well.

The only slight niggle for me was that there seemed to be some characters from the first book re-skinned with new names. There was another Lesbian couple where one relied solely on the other and a lady patroness who helped out and got involved with the lives of the main family in a bit of a similar way. I found myself a little dissapointed at the introduction of these characters and I wondered if they'd only been put in to flesh out a cast that was already varied enough for me.

I look forward to the next installment in this series of books.
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